Okumbi claims some coaches are undermining him

Tuesday March 29 2016

Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi reacts during the team's training session at Utalii grounds on March 20, 2016 in preparation for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea Bissau. He has claimed some coaches are out to sabotage him. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi has claimed that some unnamed coaches are unhappy with his appointment and are working hard to hinder his success

His deputy, Musa Otieno, declined to comment on the matter, only saying that the federation has been very supportive to the team and the technical bench.

Besieged Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi has sensationally claimed that some unnamed coaches are unhappy with his appointment and are working hard to hinder his success.

Okumbi however insists he is unshaken by the cowardly acts of his critics and will remain focused on his job.

He said: “It is a fact that there are coaches who are unhappy with my appointment. From day one, they were not happy and said I was not the right man for the job. They said the senior players would not listen to me. This is no secret, it was in the papers,” he said.

AN OPEN SECRET

Asked to name individuals sabotaging him, the 36-year-old former Mathare United and Kariobangi Sharks coach said: “I can’t point fingers but I know them. It’s an open secret. However, there are people like Ghost (Jacob Mulee) who were happy with me and have been supportive. He was the last coach to take us to Afcon finals (Tunisia, 2004). Others who have been supportive are (Bandari coach) Twahir Muhiddin and Kenyatta Otieno (Ushuru FC coach).”

His deputy, Musa Otieno, declined to comment on the matter, only saying that the federation has been very supportive to the team and the technical bench.

“I cannot talk on the matter. What I can say is that the federation has been working for the team, but the results did not go our way. We can succeed together,” Otieno said.

Guinea Bissau is a very tiny country but everybody is supporting the team. At times, it’s a matter of luck,” Otieno, who captained Harambee Stars during his playing days said.